Core Insights - US core inflation unexpectedly eased to a four-year low, raising questions among economists about the reliability of the data due to a prior government shutdown [8][14] - ByteDance has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture in the US with majority ownership by American investors [8][14] Market Performance - The A-share market opened lower but closed higher, with the Shanghai Composite Index up 0.16% at 3876.37 points, while the Shenzhen Component fell 1.29% and the ChiNext Index dropped 2.17% [1] - The Hong Kong market also saw fluctuations, with the Hang Seng Index closing up 0.12% at 25498.13 points, while the Hang Seng Tech Index fell 0.73% [1][5] Economic Indicators - The US core Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.6% year-on-year in November, while the overall CPI increased by 2.7% [14] - The report indicated that core CPI only increased by 0.2% over the last two months, with declines in hotel, leisure, and clothing prices limiting the overall increase [14] Corporate Developments - TikTok announced the establishment of a joint venture with US investors, which will operate independently and manage US data protection and algorithm security [8][14] - China has reportedly ordered 7 million tons of US soybeans, achieving over half of the procurement target set during the Trump administration [8][14]

Key Points Coca-Cola's CEO is stepping down in 2026. He steered the company back to growth during his tenure, restructuring operations and cutting out low-value brands in favor of large, global acquisitions. Coca-Cola has been successfully battling inflation and tariffs. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola › Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is one of the oldest companies still operating in the U.S., having gotten its start in 1886. It has gone through many changes over the 139 years, but it's still servi ...

The soon-to-be-retiring Oracle of Omaha has set his trillion-dollar company up to enter 2026 with nearly $184 billion invested in four brand-name businesses.In less than two weeks, iconic billionaire Warren Buffett will retire from the CEO role at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +0.93%)(BRK.B +0.89%) and hand the reins over to the trillion-dollar company he helped build.But just because the Oracle of Omaha is hanging up his work coat, it doesn't mean he hasn't been positioning his company's $318 billion investmen ...

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is included among the 12 Best Dogs of the Dow to Invest in. Coca-Cola (KO) Struggles to Salvage Costa Coffee Sale The company’s plan to sell Costa Coffee is close to falling apart, according to a report by The Financial Times. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) held what were meant to be last-ditch talks with private equity firm TDR Capital over the weekend, hoping to keep the process alive. People familiar with the situation say the discussions failed to gain traction. TDR ...

Core Insights - TMICC has formally separated from Unilever and is establishing a key partnership with Publicis to enhance its identity as a standalone company [2][3] - The public listing of TMICC has created the world's largest ice cream maker, with a diverse portfolio including brands like Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, and Cornetto [3][7] - Publicis aims to leverage its data-driven technology and AI solutions to enhance TMICC's marketing efforts [3][5] Company Developments - The partnership with Publicis is seen as a pivotal step in TMICC's transformation journey, focusing on innovative and data-driven marketing strategies [4][7] - Publicis has recently secured several major accounts, including The Coca-Cola Company and Mars, highlighting its strengths in AI and data [5] - TMICC's transition has faced challenges, including internal governance issues at Ben & Jerry's, which has raised concerns about its independent board [6]

Core Insights - The Coca-Cola Company went public in September 1919 at $40 per share, and a single share held until December 2025 could be worth $29.4 million, assuming dividends were reinvested [1][2] Group 1: Long-term Investment Value - Coca-Cola's long-term performance exemplifies the benefits of buying and holding quality businesses, demonstrating resilience through various economic challenges [3] - The company's ability to remain profitable and adaptable over time has contributed to its shareholder-friendly reputation [3] Group 2: Role of Dividends - Coca-Cola has consistently paid dividends since 1920, raising them for over six decades, establishing itself as a "Dividend King" in the American economy [5] - The reinvestment of dividends has been crucial for long-term returns, significantly increasing the final value of investments compared to non-reinvested dividends [5][4] - Dividends enabled investors to continuously acquire shares at various price points, enhancing ownership stakes even during periods of stock price stagnation [6]

Core Insights - Coca-Cola and FIFA have launched a series of global activities leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the sixth "Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour" [1] - The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with upgrades in participating teams, match numbers, and celebratory events [1] - Coca-Cola aims to enhance fan experiences through diverse interactive activities, cultural content, and product offerings as a long-term partner of FIFA [1] Group 1 - Coca-Cola's partnership with FIFA began in 1976 and became official in 1978, promoting football culture globally for nearly half a century [2] - The company has created impactful cultural moments during past World Cups, such as the songs "Wavin' Flag" and "The World Is Ours," and community interactions [2] - Coca-Cola's Vice President Mickael Vinet emphasized the unifying power of football and the company's anticipation of celebrating the sport's passion, honor, and unity with fans [2] Group 2 - The current Trophy Tour marks the 20th anniversary of the "Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour" [2] - FIFA's Chief Commercial Officer Romy Gai highlighted the trophy as a significant global sports symbol and acknowledged Coca-Cola as one of the most influential brands [2] - The collaboration over the past two decades has provided fans with memorable World Cup experiences, extending the unique charm of football to a broader audience [2]

Core Viewpoint - Coca-Cola's plan to sell Costa Coffee is facing challenges as price negotiations with private equity firm TDR Capital have stalled, raising questions about the beverage giant's valuation [1][2] Group 1: Sale Details - Coca-Cola is seeking approximately £2 billion (around $2.7 billion) for Costa Coffee, significantly lower than the £3.9 billion it paid to Whitbread in 2018 [3][8] - The sale involves TDR Capital, which is expected to acquire Costa's UK business and most international operations while Coca-Cola retains a small interest [5] Group 2: Financial Performance - Costa Coffee reported a loss of £13.8 million on sales of £1.2 billion in 2023, translating to nearly $18 million in losses on $1.6 billion in sales [4] - The financial struggles are attributed to rising costs and increased competition, which have squeezed profit margins [4] Group 3: Leadership Changes - Concurrently, Coca-Cola is undergoing leadership changes, with Henrique Braun set to become CEO on March 31, 2026, while current CEO James Quincey will transition to executive chair [6] - Braun's potential start as CEO may coincide with the sale of Costa, providing him with a financial boost or facing ongoing challenges with the coffee business [6]

Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool. ...

Core Insights - The Coca-Cola Company is transitioning to a brand-led franchise system by refranchising its bottling operations globally, which is expected to enhance its overall margin profile and profitability [1][4][9] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Coca-Cola's comparable operating margin increased by 115 basis points, while the comparable currency-neutral operating margin rose by 270 basis points, indicating effective cost and pricing management amid macroeconomic challenges [2][9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Coca-Cola's earnings per share (EPS) for 2025 and 2026 suggests year-over-year growth of 3.5% and 8%, respectively, with stable estimates over the past 30 days [11] Strategic Initiatives - The selection of strategic franchise partners for bottling operations has led to improved operational efficiency and investment, driving system-wide growth and profitability [3] - Coca-Cola's focus on productivity, cost-control initiatives, product innovations, and supply-chain optimization is expected to further elevate margins and strengthen profitability [4] Competitive Landscape - Coca-Cola faces competition from PepsiCo and Monster Beverage, both of which are also focusing on productivity and operational efficiency to drive growth [5][6][7] Stock Performance and Valuation - Coca-Cola's shares have increased by 12% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 6.7% [8] - The company is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 22.10X, compared to the industry average of 18.42X [10]